Synthesis of 4- and 5-substituted 1-hydroxyimidazoles through directed lithiation and metal-halogen exchange.

Electrophiles were introduced regioselectively at the 5-position of 1-(benzyloxy)imidazole by lithiation at C-5 after protection of C-2 with a chloro or a trimethylsilyl group. Subsequent treatment with an electrophile afforded 5-substituted 1-(benzyloxy)-2-chloroimidazoles 8-13 and 5-substituted 1-(benzyloxy)imidazoles 3-5, the 2-(trimethylsilyl) group being lost during workup. Electrophiles were introduced regioselectively at the 4-position of 1-(benzyloxy)imidazole by bromine-lithium exchange of 4-bromo-2-chloro-1-(benzyloxy)imidazoles, protected at C-5 with chloro or trimethylsilyl groups, followed by reaction with an electrophile. The 5-(trimethylsilyl) group was removed via base-catalyzed desilylation. Chlorine at C-2 and O-benzyl groups were removed by palladium-catalyzed hydrogenolysis.     

Synthesis and properties of hexakis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)benzene as a multielectron redox system with liquid crystalline behavior

[structure: see text] This paper describes the cyclotrimerization reaction of di(2-azulenyl)acetylenes (2a,b) catalyzed by Co2(CO)8 to produce hexa(2-azulenyl)benzene derivatives (1a,b). The cyclooligomerization of 2a and 2b utilizing CpCo(CO)2 as a catalyst produced (eta5-cyclopentadienyl)[tetra(2-azulenyl)cyclobutadiene]cobalt complexes (3a,b). The redox behavior of hexakis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)benzene (1b), bis(6-octyl-2-azulenyl)acetylene (2b), and the cobalt complexes 3a and 3b along with 6-octyl-2-phenylazulene (19) was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The reduction of compound 1b exhibited multiple-electron transfers in one step upon CV with a reduction potential similar to that of compound 19. However, the CVs of compounds 2b, 3a, and 3b were characterized by stepwise waves because of the reduction of each azulene ring. The mesomorphic behaviors of 1b, 2b, and 19 were also studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. A new series of azulene derivatives, 1b, 2b, and 19, substituted by a long alkyl chain at the 6-position shows mesomorphism with crystalline polymorphs. Compound 1b showed a large temperature range of hexagonal columnar mesophases (Col(ho)) from 115.5 to 199.9 degrees C. Compound 2b has rectangular columnar (Col(ro)), smectic E (S(E)), and nematic (N) mesophases. Compound 19 exhibited an S(E) mesophase.     

Palladium(II)-assisted conversion of a 2-alkenyl sulfone into a 3-acetoxy(or chloro)-1-alkenyl sulfone

2-alkenyl p-tolyl sulfone was converted into the corresponding 3-acetoxy-1-alkenyl p-tolyl sulfone via a π-allyl palladium complex which underwent regiospecific attack of a nucleophile, acetate ion, and the reaction conditions for predominant formation of 3-chloro-1-alkenyl p-tolyl sulfone are also described.     

Synthesis, properties, and OFET characteristics of 5,5'-di(2-azulenyl)-2,2'-bithiophene (DAzBT) and 2,5-di(2-azulenyl)-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DAzTT)

Two azulene-based π-conjugated systems, 5,5'-di(2-azulenyl)-2,2'-bithiophene and 2,5-di(2-azulenyl)-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, were constructed via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The crystal structures of both revealed an edge-to-face orientation in a well-defined herringbone packing. The molecules stood nearly perpendicular to the substrate in the film form, with features of an organic field-effect transistor at hole mobilities of up to 5.0 × 10(-2) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1).     

(10Z)- and (10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: an improved synthesis via 19-nor-10-oxo-vitamin D

An efficient synthetic route to (10Z)- and (10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was developed. The key feature of this pathway is the introduction of a 19-fluoromethylene group to a (5E)-19-nor-10-oxo-vitamin D derivative. The 10-oxo-compound was obtained via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of (5E)-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D with in situ generated nitrile oxide followed by ring cleavage of the formed isoxazoline moiety with molybdenum hexacarbonyl. Conversion of the keto group of (5E)-19-nor-10-oxo-vitamin D to the E and Z fluoromethylene group was achieved through a two-step sequence involving a reaction of lithiofluoromethyl phenyl sulfone followed by the reductive desulfonylation of the alpha-fluoro-beta-hydroxy sulfone. The dye-sensitized photoisomerization of the (5E)-19-fluorovitamin D afforded the desired (5Z)-19-fluorovitamin D derivatives, (10Z)- and (10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.     

Synthesis and Applications of 3-Phenylthio-2-Sulfolenes

Treatment of 3-phenylthio-2-sulfolene ( 1 ) with an equimolar proportion of butyllithium at ?78 °C in THF followed by addition of an electrophile gave the 2-substituted 3-phenylthio-2-sulfolenes (2). The deprotonation was found to proceed only at the vinylic C-2 position. Some of the 2-sulfolenes 2 underwent desulfonylation upon heating with base. Of particular interest was the conversion of 3-phenylthio-2-trimethylsilyl-2-sulfolene ( 2h ) to its 3-sulfolene isomer 6 by sequential addition of butyllithium and salicylic acid at low temperatures. The 3-sulfolene 6 was desulfonylated by Kugelrohr distillation at 150° C under vacuum to give (Z)-2-phenylthio-l-trimethylsilyl-1,3-butadiene ( 8 ). The regiochemistry of the Diels Alder reaction of this highly reactive diene 8 was found to be controlled by the phenylthio group, and the stereochemistry is endo addition. Diene 8 was oxidized to its sulfone derivative 12 which also underwent a stereospecific Diels-Alder reaction.     

Preparation of 1,3-disubstituted isoquinoline derivatives from N-boc-3-substituted-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines

3-Substituted N-Boc-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines 2 can be functionalized at the 1-position via lithiation and subsequent electrophilic trapping. The resulting products 3 can be deprotected and oxidized to afford the corresponding 1,3-disubstituted isoquinolines 5 . Deprotection of dihydroisoquinoline 3k followed by sodium borohydride reduction affords the cis-1,3-disubstituted tetrahydroisoquinoline 11 . The 1,3-disubstituted N-Boc-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline 3g is efficiently alkylated at the 1-position to give 1,1,3-trisubstituted analogs 12 .     

The 1.4 and 248 nm radiation response of chemically amplified resists containing arylmethyl sulfone photoacid generators

The X-ray (1.4 nm) and deep UV (248 nm) radiation responses of chemically amplified photoresists incorporating arylmethyl sulfone photoacid generators were evaluated. The arylmethyl sulfones were primarily derivatives of benzyl phenyl sulfone, selected to reveal the importance of desulfonylation and internal abstraction with regard to the photochemical efficiency of acid generation. At 1.4 nm, benzyl phenyl sulfone gave a much more sensitive resist than dibenzyl sulfone, while the methyl derivatives of benzyl phenyl sulfone did not give much improvement over the parent compound. This suggests that desulfonylation is more important than internal abstraction for increased photochemical efficiency. At 248 nm, similar trends were observed, but with some modifications arising from the variation in extinction coefficient among the sulfones. Sensitivities at or below 20 mJ/cm² were obtained for both wavelength ranges.     

Two complementary routes to 7-substituted chlorins. Partial mimics of chlorophyll B

Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b exhibit distinct spectra yet differ only in the nature of a single substituent (7-methyl versus 7-formyl, respectively). Two complementary approaches have been developed for the synthesis of 7-substituted chlorins. The first approach is a de novo route wherein 2,9-dibromo-5-p-tolyldipyrromethane (Eastern half) and 9-formyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,3,3-trimethyldipyrrin (Western half) undergo acid-catalyzed condensation followed by metal-mediated oxidative cyclization. The resulting zinc chlorin is sterically uncongested and bears (1) a geminal dimethyl group in the reduced, pyrroline ring, (2) a bromo substituent at the 7-position, and (3) a p-tolyl group at the 10-position. The second approach entails regioselective 7-bromination of a 10,15-diarylchlorin that lacks a substituent at the 5-position. In an extension of this latter approach, a 5,15-diarylchlorin that lacks a substituent at the 10-position undergoes regioselective bromination at the 8-position. The introduction of a TIPS-ethynyl, acetyl, or formyl group at the 7-position was achieved using Pd-catalyzed reactions with the corresponding 7-bromochlorin. In the 10-p-tolyl-substituted zinc chlorins, the series of substituents (7-TIPS-ethynyl, 7-acetyl, 7-formyl) progressively causes (1) a bathochromic shift in the absorption maximum of the B band (405 to 426 nm) and (2) a hypsochromic shift in the position of the Qy band (605 to 598 nm). The trends mirror those for chlorophyll b versus chlorophyll a but are of lesser magnitude. Taken together, the facile access to chlorins that bear auxochromes at the 7-position enables wavelength tunability and provides the foundation for fundamental spectroscopic studies.     

An efficient reagent for synthesis of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes 3-methylthio-2-propenyl p-tolyl sulfone

Alkylation of 3-methylthio-2-propenyl p-tolyl sulfone (1) with an alkyl halide and a base (NaH or KOH-TOMAC) took place at the position α to the sulfonyl group to give optionally a mono- or dialkylated product (2 or 3), which was converted to β-monosubstituted or β,β-disubstituted α,β-unsaturated aldehyde (6 or 7), respectively, by TiCl₄-assisted hydrolysis followed by the removal of p-toluenesulfinic acid.     

Contrasteric stereochemical dictation of the cyclobutene ring-opening reaction by a vacant boron p orbital

Cyclobutene, having a pinacolatoboryl group at the 3-position, was prepared by the reaction of trimethyl borate with a cyclobutenyl anion, which was generated by reductive lithiation of 3-(phenylselenyl)cyclobutene. Its thermal ring-opening reaction provided (Z)-1-borylbuta-1,3-diene selectively despite the arising steric congestion. The contrasteric behavior was accounted for by assuming an electron-accepting interaction of the vacant boron p orbital with the distorted breaking sigma orbital in the inward transition state.     

2-Oxazolines as activating groups towards metallation and stabilising groups against polymerization in N-substituted pyrroles

Benzaldehyde is shown to be a more suitable electrophile than carbon dioxide in reactions involving the lithio derivatives of 2-(N-methylpyrrol-2-yl) oxazolines. The relative reactivities of the C3-Li and C5-Li bonds in ethereal solvents are examined. The 2-oxazolino group at a 2-position in N-substituted pyrrole is shown to possess an activating effect on the 5-position towards lithiation, and eliminates the propensity of the pyrrole nucleus towards polymerisation. The conditions for removal of the 2-protecting group are explored.     

Synthesis of some 4-substituted and 4,6-disubstituted dibenzothiophenes

The synthesis is described of various 4-substituted ( 1 ) and 4,6-disubstituted ( 2 ) dibenzothiophenes by lithiation reactions. The factors controlling the formation of 4,6-disubstituted dibenzothiophenes by the lithiation of 4-methyl- and 4-ethyl-dibenzothiophene at the 6-position versus lithiation at the α-carbon of the 4-substituent are examined.     

Aldehyde and ketone syntheses using methylthiomethyl p-tolyl sulfone

Methylthiomethyl p-tolyl sulfone (1) was conveniently alkylated to give mono- and dialkylated products (2 and 4). Reaction conditions for the trasformation of 2 and 4 into aldehydes (3) and ketones (5), respectively, were exploited.     

Nucleophilic difluoromethylation of primary alkyl halides using difluoromethyl phenyl sulfone as a difluoromethyl anion equivalent

A facile and efficient nucleophilic difluoromethylation of primary alkyl halides has been disclosed through a novel nucleophilic substitution-reductive desulfonylation strategy, using difluoromethyl phenyl sulfone as a difluoromethyl anion ("CF(2)H(-)") equivalent.     

α,α-Disubstituted Allyl Sulfones: An approach to the synthesis of vinyl-branched pheromone analogues

The two-step alkylation of phenyl prop-2-enyl sulfone ( 1 ) with protected ω-bromoalkanols and 1-iodoalkanes (→ 3 ; see Scheme 1) followed by a Pd-catalyzed desulfonylation with LiBH₄ affords a 96:4 mixture of vinylbranched, protected alcohols and corresponding ethylidene-branched isomers (see Scheme 2; 4 and 5 , respectively). By utilizing the large difference in reactivity of mono- and trisubstituted C?C bonds towards singlet oxygen, the ethylidene derivatives are easily removed from the mixture by photo-oxygenation. The vinyl-branched compounds are inert to this reaction and can be conveniently isolated in highly pure form (99.5%) and ca. 45% overall yield.     

Synthesis, properties, and redox behavior of mono-, bis-, and tris[1,1,4,4,-tetracyano-2-(1-azulenyl)-3-butadienyl] chromophores binding with benzene and thiophene cores

Mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(1-azulenylethynyl)benzene and mono- and bis(1-azulenylethynyl)thiophene derivatives 5-10 have been prepared by Pd-catalyzed alkynylation of ethynyl arenes with 1-iodoazulene derivative or the 1-ethynylazulene derivative with tetraiodobenzene and iodothiophenes under Sonogashira-Hagihara conditions. Compounds 5-10 reacted with tetracyanoethylene in a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction to afford the corresponding 1,1,4,4,-tetracyano-2-(5-isopropyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-1-azulenyl)-3-butadienyl chromophores 12-16 in excellent yields, except for the reaction of the tetrakis(1-azulenylethynyl)benzene derivative. 1,1,4,4,-Tetracyano-2,3-bis(1-azulenyl)butadiene (17) was also prepared by the similar reaction of bis(1-azulenyl)acetylene (11) with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). The redox behavior of novel azulene derivatives 12-17 was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed multistep electrochemical reduction properties. Moreover, a significant color change was observed by visible spectroscopy under electrochemical reduction conditions.     

Reaction of magnesium alkylidene carbenoids with lithium alpha-sulfonyl carbanions: a novel synthesis of tri- and tetra-substituted allenes from 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides and sulfones

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with ethylmagnesium chloride or isopropylmagnesium chloride at below -78 degrees C gave magnesium alkylidene carbenoids in about 90% yields. The reaction of the generated carbenoids with lithium alpha-sulfonyl carbanions was found to afford tri- and tetra-substituted allenes. Both cyclic ketones and acyclic ketones were useful in this procedure. However, the 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides derived from aldehydes gave only rearranged products, acetylenes, under the reaction conditions. The magnesium alkylidene carbenoid derived from an optically active 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxide was treated with lithium alpha-carbanion of 1-naphthyl phenyl sulfone; however, the obtained allene was found to be racemic. The mechanism of this reaction is also discussed.     

Reaction of azulenes with 1-trifluoromethanesulfonylpyridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate (TPT) and synthesis of the parent azulene

2-Azulenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate was prepared by the reaction of 2-hydroxyazulene with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride in the presence of triethylamine as a base. Under the use of pyridine, 1-trifluoromethanesulfonylpyridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate further reacted with 2-azulenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate to give 1-(1-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-1,4-dihydropyridin-4-yl)azulenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. Moreover, we found that azulenes also reacted with 1-trifluoromethanesulfonylpyridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate to give 4-(1-azulenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives and 6-(1-azulenyl)-1-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-1-aza-hexa-1,3,5-triene depending on the reaction conditions. 2-Azulenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate was converted finally into the parent azulene in excellent yield by palladium-catalyzed reduction using formic acid as a reducing reagent.     

Lithiation of 1-alkyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl phosphonic acid esters: Novel anion-mediated carbon-to-carbon phosphonate migrations

The lithiation chemistry of 1-alkyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl phosphonic acid esters 3 has been investigated. Lithiation occurs exclusively on the 1-alkyl group, α to nitrogen, to give carbanionic intermediates 10 . No evidence was found for any lithiation at the 3-position of the triazole ring. On warming, intermediates 10 undergo an unusual anion-mediated phosphonate migration, giving rise to 1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methylphos-phonates 14 .